The hotel is awaiting LEED and Green Seal certification, and their “green initiatives” page on their website is still under construction. But we do know a few things: Some of their rooms were created out from the Fort Baker Officers Residences, built in the 1900s – a great example of re-using existing structures to cut back on new construction. Guest rooms feature organic linens and towels. The resort’s main restaurant, Murray Circle , creates its menu with food available from local producers. Cavallo Point's Institute at the Golden Gate will use the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy's expertise to host sustainability events and programs. It's also rumored that groups who hold their own environmental summits at Cavallo Point may get discounts. Room charges include a 5 percent “Environmental Programming and Sustainability Fee” and a $4 donation to the Good Night Foundation, which helps fund local and global community-development projects.

One of the things I’m most excited about is Cavallo Point’s intriguing list of adventures and programs. These expert-led, multi-day programs let you immerse yourself in everything from yoga to “radical knitting” to wine-country cooking. The one I had to stop myself from signing up immediately for: The Ultimate Running Experience with Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes. Four days of runs, yoga classes, and fantastic food with one of my running heros? Perfect. Now, to start saving up the $1765 to reserve my spot.

If you’re thinking about putting down the cash for one of these kick-butt adventures, do it soon: If you sign up for one of their multi-day programs by July 1, you get an extra night free. If you’d like to bask in the Cavallo Point eco-glow freestyle, and explore Pacific beaches and San Francisco on your own, rooms currently start at $250 for a Bayside Queen room (in the historic Fort Baker buildings) and go up to $750 for a Golden Gate King Suite.

June 04, 2008

I was tired, sore and hungry when I pulled into Yosemite Bug a few hours after finishing the Shadow of the Giants 50K. The drive to Middlepine – “The pride of Mariposa,” population 900 – was absolutely beautiful. The state highways and country roads wound west through small mountain towns and occasionally offered views of the pine-covered valley to the south.

Yosemite Bug’s “rustic mountain resort” is a collection of cabins surrounding a café and spa community area. I wasn’t expecting much when I pulled up in front of the small office, just a real bed to sleep in after a long race and a bunk bed the night before.

I had reserved a private room with a private bath for $105 (rates range from $75 to $35), though there are also more basic accommodations for less: private rooms with shared bathrooms for $65 to $85, tent cabins for $35 to $55, and hostel-style dorms for $23 ($20 for Hostelling International members) with shared bathrooms and access to a hostel kitchen. There’s also guesthouse that can sleep up to 8 people for $205 to $255 per night ($10 for each extra guest).

May 30, 2008

Today I'm headed to Fish Camp, California, right outside Yosemite. I've never been to the area, and I promise to fill you in on all the details next week. My main reason for going is to run the Shadow of the Giants 50K tomorrow. I love running, and I especially love running in beautiful places I've never been before. I'm beginning to think races are the ultimate eco-travel activity.

Think about it: How else can you get a carbon-free tour of a new area, plenty of friendly and chatty company, refreshments along the way, a t-shirt, and breakfast at the end -- all for a small fee that usually goes to a good cause? There's no better way to get quickly oriented in a new place than seeing it on foot. And runners are a friendly bunch; I'm betting if you put on a big smile, by the end of the race you'll have at least one local offering to show you around town.

Manager Paul Vicary reports that they received really great rainfall in the past few months, so the gounds are super green right now -- plan your trip soon! The lodge can pick you up for free from the Glass House Mountains train station or the Australia Zoo bus stop. Just make sure to ask.

Double Room: Private bathroom. $85 for two.

Triple Room: Private bathroom with shower. One queen and one single bed. $95 for three.

Family Suite: Private bathroom with tub and shower. One bedroom (queen) and a loft with two single beds. $140 for four.

Family Forest Room: Private bathroom with shower. One queen and two single bunks. $105 for four.

Bunk Room: Budget option! One double and one single bunks. Shared bathroom nearby. $25 per person.

Paul suggests you pick up Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now to get you in a present state of mind to enjoy the eco-lodge. You could also check out Lonely Planet’s Australia guide or pick up ultra-runner Pam Reed’s The Extra Mile for inspiration if you’re planning on entering one of the Glasshouse Mountains trail runs.

January 18, 2008

What’s more eco than a brand spanking new eco-lodge with all the trendy green trimmings? Try an eco-lodge crafted from already existing structures. Remember, there’s nothing more environmentally friendly than using what you’ve already got. Australia’s Glasshouse Mountains Eco-Lodge has followed this strain of eco-wisdom by creating a charming destination out of a 110-year-old church and a railway carriage. The church is being turned into meeting space, and the carriage has been transformed into a self-catering kitchen. The guestrooms are connected to the church by a large deck, perfect for yoga. The lodge is cradled in almost five acres of organic gardens and forest grounds. The gardens grow vegetables and more than 80 varieties of tropical fruit trees – providing plenty of produce to keep that railway kitchen stocked.

Glasshouse Mountains Eco-Lodge is about an hour and a half north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast area of Queensland, Australia. This is prime state forest and national park territory; the glory of the Australian bush is the main attraction here. The lodge has bicycles, birdwatching guides, and plenty of self-guided bush walks available for your adventurous side. Not to mention three mountains (volcanic plugs, really) -- Ngugun, Beerwah, and Tibrogargon – just begging for a climb. If you prefer your bush wildlife a little more contained, you can drive 10 minutes to the Australia Zoo, home of the late, great Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.

A side note for the truly crazy (and I say this because I am one of you): Runners will want to time their trip to coincide with one of the Glasshouse Mountains Trail Run events. Held in May, July, and September, these mountain races range in distance from a sprint-tastic 8K to the mind-bending 100-miler. Make sure to book the Family Suite at the Eco-Lodge if you’re going the distance. You’re going to want that tub for a good soak afterward.

In addition to the reuse of existing structures, Glasshouse Mountains Eco-Lodge keeps the eco-karma going with solar water heaters, water-efficient shower heads, and energy-efficient light bulbs. Manager Paul Vicary reports they use chemical-free, citrus-based cleaners with Enjo fiber (no paper-towel-wasting here). They are avid composters, recyclers, and even track water and waste per guest (so be on your best green behavior). The Eco-Lodge supports the local Glasshouse Mountains Advancement Network in its tree-planting efforts and is also replanting their own rainforest on the eco-lodge’s grounds. They’ll even give you a tree to plant there so you can be part of the carbon-offsetting fun. Paul says their next big eco-effort will be working to preserve the Richmond Birdwing butterfly.

Come back tomorrow for rates, contact info and reading suggestions from Paul.